In an stunning upset, Lowell Bailey became the first American to win a world championship in biathlon.

It’s a safe bet no one will mistake U.S. biathletes for Norwegians anytime soon, but American Lowell Bailey stunned the world of Nordic sports Thursday when he became the first American to win a world championship in biathlon.

“It’s all cliches: ‘it’s unbelievable, it’s like a dream.’” Bailey said after winning the 20-kilometer race in Hochfilzen, Austria. “It means so much because of all the hard work that went into this medal and all of the support that I’ve had; it all has paid off.”